Bottle-washing machine



W.W,BF1`NSTOCK,

BOTTLE WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATxoN FILED JULY 15,1921.

Patented Nov. 7, 19221 W. W. BIRNSTOCK.

BomE WASHING MACHINE.

4APPLICATION FILED JULY l5, 1921.

Patented NOV. 7, 31922.,

6` SHEEIS-SHEEI 3..

W. W. BIRNSTOCK. BOTTLE WASHING MACHINE. APPLICATIONHLED1uLY15,1921.

Patented Nov., 7, 1922.

6 SHEETS-SHEE14.

W.'W. BIRNSTOCK.

BOTI'LE AWASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IuLY 15,1921.

Patented Nov. 79 X922;

Q6 sHEEJsfSHEEI 5.

. ,IIIIIII IIIII. 1I rrrr W. W. BIRNSTOCK.

BOTTLE WASHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IuLy I5, 1921.

Patented Nov. 7, 922.

6 SHEETS-SHEE' 6.

?etented Nov, 7, T9225.

ETE STATES PENNSYLVANIA.

PATENT YORK MLK PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATEON BOTTLE-WASHNG MACHINE.

Application filed .Tilly 15, 1921. Seria] No. fli'.

lthis kind, whereby certainty in the functioning of its operative mechanisms is insured and durability is attained. The invention provides an improved mechanism for feeding or advancing the bottle-containing cra-tes. step-by-step, to the different operative mechanisms and through the Vmachine, whereby reliability in the correct function- `ing of the machine, with respect to the bottles in the crates, is attained, and it also provides novel and improved means for controlling and timing the operation of the operative mechanisms of the machine in correct relation with the operations of the bottle or crate-advancing mechanism.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the features of novelty being pointed out particularly in the claims at the end ofthe specification.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bottle washing, rinsingv and sterilizing machine constructed in accordance Witli the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2 and 2a represent a horizontal section on an enlarged scale ,and taken on the line 22 of Figure l;

Figure 3 represents a cioss'section through the machine taken on the line 3-3 of F igure 2a and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure represents a vertical section taken longitudinally through the machine with the central portion of the machine broken away;

Vthe rinsing water and to Figure is a top plan view of one of the crate-feeding bars or members. showing the means for shifting the crate-engagingodogs from the inoperative dotted lined position to the operative full line position;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showinor the means for shifting the does from the operative dotted line position To the inoperative full line position; and

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken through one of the crate-feeding bars, one of the ciate-engagin0a dogs thereon and the adjacent co-operat-inparts.

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in the'several views.

'The presentl invention is applicable, in whole or in part, to machines of diiierent kinds, wherein it is desirable or necessary to handle or treat crates of bottles, or siniilar articles, automatically. The invention is particularly applicable to machines for washing and cleaning milk bottles while contained in crates, and the invention is shown applied to a machine of this kind in the accompanying drawings, and will be hereinafter described in detail, it is to be ,understood` however, that the invention is not restricted to.the precise construction shown, as equivalent constructions are contemplated and these will be included within the scope of the claims.

Tn the present instance, the machine com prises a. body or base l which supports or contains-the different mechanisms of the machine and which is divided, by a suitable number of transverse partitions, into compartments, to contain the washing solution,

from the bottles. n the present instance, the machine is of the type wherein the bottles are placed in inverted position in crates or racks having grid-like bottoms and during their washing, rinsing, sterilizing and other treating fluids are projected upwardly into the inverted bottles, the drip from the bott-les being collected in the different compartments.

collect the drip passage through the machine, the

contain a. suitable washing solution, and pair of headers 3 is located above this com partrnent and provided with nozzleswhich are directed upwardly and register with the down-turned mouths of the bottles as the bottle-containing crates are successively positioned above them` and an additional header 4f is also located preferably above one of the headers 3 to project washing solution downwardly over the eXterio-rs of the' 1nverted bottles. The washing solution for cleansing the interior and exterior of the bottles is supplied from a manifold 5 having branches 6 which lead to the nozzle headers, individual valves 7 being preferably provided in the branches to control the flow of washing solution to the different headers as may be desired. The manifold Y 5 receives the Washing solution through a valve 8 which is preferably of the poppet type, the valve receiving the washing solution from a suitable source of supply, preferably a pump (not shown), the suction side of which is connected to an outlet A9 which leads from the bottom of the washing compartment 2, this arrangement enabling the washing solution to be used repeatedly 1n the operation of washing the bottles. This valve 3 is opened ard closed in correct timed 'relai tion to the intervals elapsing between the advancing movements of the bottle-containing crates.l The body of the machine also provides a rinsing compartment 10 above which is located a pair of headers 11 which are provided with upturned nozzles for projectmg rinsing water into the mouths of the inverted bottles positioned above them, and as shown, an additional rinsing water header 12 is locatedv above onel of the headers 11 and is adapted to project. rinsing water downwardly over the exteriors of the -bottles contained in the crates. The rinsing Water headers receive rinsing water from a manifold 13 through branches 14 which lead therefrom to the. different headers, and cut-off or controlling valves 15 are preferably provided in these branches to control the supply of rinsing water to the different headers. The rinsing water is supplied to the manifold 13 through a valve-,16 which is preferably of the poppet type, and this valve may receive rinsing water from any suitable source of supply, although it is preferable to connect it to the delivery side of a pump (not shown) the inlet of which is connected to an outlet 17 leading from the rinsing compartment 10, this. arrangement enabling rinsing water in the compartment 10 to be used repeatedly. The rinsing operation is preferably followed by a sterlizing treatment and, as shown in the present instance, the machine has a sterilizing compartment 18, above which is located a-header 19 provided with upturned nozzles adapted to project steam or other appropriate sterilizing medium into the mouths of the inverted bottles.

The steam or sterilizingmedium is supplied to the header 19 by a appropriate timed relation to the intervals elapsing between the advancing movements of the bottle-containing crates. In order to attain simplicity in construction and to insure correct timing of the opening and closing of the valves 8, 16 and 20, these valves, according to the present invention, are operated by a common cam shaft 21 which extends longitudinally at one side of the machine and is journalled in suitable bearings 22. This cam shaft has an appropriately shaped cam 23 thereon to cooperate with a roller 24 on the stem of the valve 8, it has an appropriately shaped cam 25 thereon to cooperate with a roller 26 on the stem of the valve 16, and it has an appropriately shaped cam 27 thereon to cooperate with with a roller 2.8 on the stem of the v alve 2 0. This cam sha-ft is driven in proper timed relation to the crate advancing mechanism as will be hereinafter described.

lThe machine is preferably provided with a crate-receiving table 29 at its left-hand end (Figure 1) and with a crate-delivery table 30 at its opposite or right-hand end, and a' pair of rails 31 extends longitudinally through the machine above the nozzle headers, and these rails provide tracks on which the crates are supported during their advance through the machine, and a pair of guides 32 is also provided to engage them laterally While passing through the machine. The present invention provides relatively simple but positively-operating mea-ns for advancing a row of bottle-containing crates through the machine periodically or step-bystep, whereby each crate of bottles will be successively positioned correctly in relation to the different headers which perform the washing, rinsing and Sterilizing operations thereon. Preferably and as shown in the present-instance, this crate-advancing means comprises a pair of reciprocaory bars or ros members 33 which extend parallel with and I are located preferably at` the outer sides of the respective crate-supporting tracks 31.

In the preferredonstruction, as shown in detail in Figurey 7, each crate-supporting' or member 33 carries a number or crateengaging dogs 36, these dogs being of a sufficient number to effect the complete ad- .vauce of a row of crates throughthe machine from the receiving table 29 to thc are pivotally mounted on the upper sides of the members 33, pivot pins 33 one of which is shown in det-ail in Figure i, being preferably used for this purpose, and each og is provided with a lug or limit stop 39 on its underside which is adapted to come into engagement with the outer side of the respective reciprocatory member,33, .when the dog is swung into4 its operative or crateengaging position, as shown by the full lines 1n Figure 5, the lug or stop 39 thuslimiting the swing of the dog and sustaining the thrust imposed upon the dog, incident to the advance of the crate which it engages. The crate-engaging dogs on each reciproca- 4tory member are operatively connected to swing in unison toward either inoperative or operative position, by a bar 40 which Ioperatively engages pivot pins 4l on the diii'erent dogs. The members 33 reciprocate in unison through a distance somewhat greater than the width of the bottle-con 'taining crates, and when the limit of motion of these members in one direction is approached, the bars 40 are actuated to4 swing the dogs into operative or crate-engagingposition, and after the movement of the members 33m an opposite direction to advance the row of crates has been comdogs into operative or crate-engaging position is effected by a pair of buffers l2 which are located in alinement with the respective bars 40 and against which the ends of these bars abut, when these bars approach the limits of their Vreturn movements. Preferably, yielding or spring pressed buffers are employed to minimize shock and to prevent rebound, each builer in thel presentI instance, comprising a plunger 43 which is houseed to reciprocate in a relatively fixed support 4A on the framework of the machine, and a spring .45 acts on the plunger to force it forward to an extent which is limited by a stop pin 46. By this arrangement, the dog-actuating bars e() will encounter the spring pressed buffers as the bars approach the limit of their return stroke, and as their movement continues the buffers will be pressed back against the action of their springs until suihcient resistance is developed by the buffers to restore or arrest the movement of the bars 40 while the, members 33 continue their movement, in consequence of which the bars 4() will cause the dogs 36 to rotate relativelw7 to the mein- .bers and to be thus swung from the dotted line positions into the full line positions shown in Figure The Vnext stroke of the members 33 in a reverse direction or toward the left in Figure 5 will bring the dogs 36 against the rear sides of the respective crates, and as the movement of the members 33 continues, the dogs will advance the crates one step. When the members 33 reach the limit of their crete advancing stroke, the dogs 36 will rest against the rear sides of the crates. The

means preferably employed for retracting the dogs so that'they will clear the crates during the following return strokebf the members 33, comprises a pair of arms ai' which are operative to engagethe forward ends of. the dog-actuating bars 40, immediately after the return stroke of the members 33 has commen-ced, and to push these bars 40 in the same direction in which the members 33 are moving, but at a greater speed, in consequence of which the dogs will be rotated about their pivots, from the dotted line positions to the full line positions shown in Figure 6, and the dogs will. remain in the full line position until the end of the return stroke isl approached, whereupon the buffers -will engage the bars ill and return the dogs to operative position in the manner previously described. rthese arms #i7 are preferably fixed to a rock shaft 453 which is mounted in suitable bearings #i9 in the upper part of the frame of the machine,` and one end of the rock shaft is provided with an arm or crank 50 which is operatively connected by a rod or link 5l to a lever 5:2." This lever is pivoted at 53 to a bracket secured at one side of the machine and carries a roller which cooperates with a cam 56 on the cam shaft 2l. Suitable means is'provided for holding the roller 55 in gagement with the cam 5G, a weight :36a be ing` fixed to the rock shaft 43 for this pui pose. in the instance shown. By this arrangement, the arms t? will operate in prevdetermined timed relation with the cycle of ing the operation of the machine and different mechanisms may be used for obtaining this result. In the present instance, the cross head 37 which connects the reciprocatory bars or members 33, is operatively connected by a link 57 to the upper` end of a lever 58, the latter being pivoted at 59 to a relatively fixed bracket 60 on the base of the .machine, and this lever is operatively connected to a rod 61, the latter being actuated by a crank pin 62 on a driving gear 63. The latter' is mounted on a shaft 64 which is journalled in a suitable bearing on a bearing frame 65, and the gear 63 is driven bya pinion 66 fixed on an intermediate shaft 67, the latter being journalled also in the bearing frame 65. The intermediate shaft 67 has a larger gear 68 fixed thereon which meshes with a pinion 69 fixed on a shaft 70, the latter' being journalled in the bearing frame 65, and this shaft 70 has a larger gear 71 fixed thereon and meshing with a pinion 72 on a shaft 73, to receive motion from any suitable source, anelectric motor being preferably used, in which case,

the shaft 73 may be the electric motor shaft. The cam shaft 21 which controls the valves 8, 16 and 2O and also the dogiestoring arms 47 of the crate-advancing mechanism, is'

driven in definite timed relation with the mechanism just described which actuates the crate advancing mechanism. Preferably and as shown, the shaft 64 extends through the side of the machine adjacent to the cam shaft and is connected by miter gears 74 to an intermediate shaft 75, the latter being journalled in a bearing 76 and connected by gears 77 to the cam shaft 21, these gears being fixed on the cam shaft and the shaft 75 respectively, and of equal. size.

The mode of operation of a bottle washing, rinsing and sterilizing machine embodying the present invention, as hereinbefore described, is as follows: Assuming that a lsuitably prepared washing solution is contained in the compartment 2, a suitab-ly prepared rinsing water or liquid is contained in the compartment 10 and that the valve 2O is connected to receive steam or other. suitable sterilizing medium, the pumps connected to the valves 3, 16 are set into operation and the motor or other driving shaft 73 is set into operation. Under these conditions, the gear 63 carrying the crank pin 62 will produce a to-and-fro motion of the lever 58 and the latter, throughits connection with the reciprocatory crateadvancing members 33, will be alternately reciprocated toward the right in Figures4, 5 and 6, during which stroke the dogs will be in retracted position until the end of each stroke is nearly completed, whereupon the dogs will be swung inwardly to engage behind the row of crates within the machine, as previously described, and on the reverse or lefthand stroke of the members 33, the dogs will advance the rowof crates engaged by them until the lever 56 reaches the end of its stroke, the commencement of the return stroke of the members 33 being accompanied vby movement of the arms 47 toward the lation to the operation of the crate-adVanc-- ing` mechanism, whereby the arms 47 will operate in correct relation to the strokes of the crate-advancing mechanism and also the valves will cause projection of the washing, rinsing and sterilizing mediums into or onto the bottles, while the crates of bottles are at rest and are positioned opposite to the respective headers. As shown, the cam shaft 21 revolves once to each to-and-fro motion of the crate-advancing mechanism, and the cams 23, 25 and 27 are so shaped that the valves 8, 16 and 2O will be closed during the period that the row of crates is being advanced, and these valves will be opened during the intervals that the crates are at rest and the crate-advancing mechanism is making its idle or return stroke.

During the operation of the machine, the crates containing bottles to be washed or cleaned are placed successively on the receiving table 29 where they are picked up successively by the crate-advanc-ing mechanism and automatically conveyed successively to the different operative mechanisms of the machine, and the crates containing the washed, rinsed and sterilized bottles are removed successively from the delivery table 30 to which they are delivered automatically by the crate-advancing'mechanism.

Cratefeeding or advancing mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention possesses the important practical advantages that the crate-engaging dogs are mechanically or positively set in operative and inoperative positions, from which it results that the crates are advanced with certainty and the operation of the mechanism is automatic, requiring no attention from the attendants other than the supplying of the bottles to be washed to the receiving table and removal of the washed bottles from the delivery table. The crate-advancing mechanism is also simple and dura-ble. B providing a cam shaft to operate the fiu1d-con 'anism, a simple and-durable construction is obtained which insures the maintenance of 2. Crate-advancing mechanism forbottle-I Washing and similar machines comprising, in combination, a reciprocatory member carrying a dog capable of being set, in operative crate-engaging position and reset in non-engaging position, means for positively setting said dog in operative crate-engaging position while said member is toward one end of its stroke, and means for positively resetting said dog in inoperative non-engaging position Whilel said member is'toward the other end of its stroke.

3. Crate-advancing mechanism for'bottle- Washing and` similar machines comprising.

in combination, a reciprocatory member carrying a dog capable of being set and of remaining in either an operative crate-engaging position or a A position, means for mechanically setting the flo dog in operative position Whilersaid member is toward one end of its stroke, 'and means for mechanicallyT setting the dog in inoperative position while said member i toward the other end 'of its stroke.

4:. Crate advancing mechanism for bottlewashing. and similar machines comprising, in combination, a reciprocatory member carrying a movable dog capable of being set in operative and inoperative position relatively to a crate to be advanced, operating meansconnected to said member for reciprocating it', and controlling means operative in consequence of the movement of said member in one direction to set said dog in operative position.

5. Crate-advancing mechanism for bottlewashing and similar 4machines comprising,

in combination, a reciprocatory member carv rying a dog movable relatively to it into operative crate-engaging position and inoperative non-engaging position, and a stationary abutment operative in consequence of-the movement of Said member in one direction to act on said dog to set it in one of said positions.

6. Crate-advancing mechanism forV bottle- .washing and similar machines comprising,

in combination, a reciprocatory member carrying a dog movable rela-tivelyto it and capable of being set in operative crate-engaging position and in inoperative non-eninoperative non-engaging.

gaging position, and means including a buli'er for yieldingly acting, during the iinal part of the movement of said member in one direction, to set said dog in one of said positions. Y

7. Crate-advancing mechanism for bottlewashing and similar machines comprising, in combination, a reciprocatory member carrying a series of pivotal longitudinallyspaced dogs, operating means connected to said member for reciprocating it, a bar connecting said dogs and movable With and also relatively to said member to concurrently set the series of dogs either in operative crate-engaging position, or in inoperative nonsengaging position, and means arra'iged to act on said bar, While said member is approaching one end of its stroke, to set the dogs in oneaotY said/ positions..

8. Crate-advancing mechanism for bottleivashing and similar machines comprising, in combination, a reciprocatory member carrying a plurality ot pivoted longitudinallyspaced dogs, a bar operatively connected to said ldogs and movable in unison with said member and also shiftable end-Wise relatively to said member to set said dogs in operative crate-engaging position and in inoperative non-engaging position, and means including a buffer arranged to act on one end of said bar, in consequence of the movement of said member in one direction, to shift said bar relatively to said member and Athus set the dogs in oneof said positions.

9. Crate-advancing mechanism for bottle- Washing and similar machines comprising, in combination, a reciprocatory member carrying a plurality of pivoted crate-advancing dogs, a bar operatively connected to said dogs and movable in unison Withsaid member and also shiftable relatively to said member to set. said dogs in operative and inoperative positions, and a spring bu'er arranged in the path of one end of said bar and 'operative thereon, in consequence of movement otsaid member in one direction, to relatively shift said bar and thus set the dogs in one of said positions.

10, Crate-advancing mechanism for bottlc-Washing and similar machines comprisking,in combination, a reciprocatory member carrying a plurality of longitudinally spaced dogs capable of movement relatively to said member to set them in operative and inoperativepositions, means operative on one end of said har while said member is toward one end c: its stroke to shift it relatively to said member and thus set the dogs in operative position, and means operative on the opposite end of said bar While said member is toward the other end of its stroke to reverse the position of the bar relatively to said member and thus set the dogs in inoperative position.

l1. Crate-advancing mechanism for bot- 12. Crate-advancing mechanism for bot-k tle-washingand similar machines comprising, in combination, a reciprocatory member carrying a dog capable of being set in operative `and inoperative positions, means for setting said dog in one of said positions while said member is toward one end of its stroke, and an arm operative -during and at a speed greater than that ofthe stroke of said member in the opposite direction to set the dog in the other of said positions.

13. Crate-advancing mechanism `for bottlc-washing and similar machines comprising, in combination, a reciprocatory member carrying a plurality of longitudinallyspaced crate-feeding dogs, a bar operatively connected to said dogs and movable in unison-with and also relatively to said member, means for causing movement of said bar in one direction to set the dogs in operative position preparatory to a stroke of said member lin one direction, and means operative on the opposite end of said bar during the commencement of the stroke of said member in the -opposite direction to shift said bar at a speed greater than that of said member and thereby reverse theposition of 'y the do s.

14. rate-advancing mechanism for bottle-washing and similar machines comprising, in combination, a reciprocatory member carrying a plurality of crate-feeding dogs, a bar extending` longitudinally of said member and movable in unison with and also relatively to said member, said bar being operatively connected to said dogs, and means for shifting the bar relatively to said member in the direction in which said member is moving but at a greater speed during the stroke of said member in one direction.

15. Crate-advancing means for bottlewashing and similar machines comprising, in combination, a lpair of reciprocatory members connected to operate in unison and carrying pivoted crate-feeding dogs, actuating bars extending longitudinally of the respective members andv operatively connected to the dogs thereon, means for reciprocating said members, means operative on said vbars toward one end of the stroke of said members to shift them relatively to said members and thereby set the dogs in operative crate-engaging position, and means operative on said bars toward the other end v members.

of the stroke of said members to shift them relatively to said members in a reverse direction and thereby set the dogs in inoperative position.

16. Crate-advancing mechanism for bottle-washing and -similar machines comprising, in combination, a pair of reciprocatory members connected to operate in unison and carrying crate-feeding dogs, actuating bars extending longitudinally of said members and operatively connected to the dogs on the respective members, means for reciprocating said members, and means for setting said dogs embodying a pair of arms connected to swin in unison in the direction of movement oi said members, and means for advancing said arms, during a stroke of said members in one direction, in the same dii'eetion but at a greater speed than that of said 17. Crate-advancing mechanism -or bottle-Washing and ysimilar machines comprising, in combination, reciprocatory members carrying crate-feeding dogs, driving means for regularly reciprocating said members, means for setting said dogs relatively to the crates to be advanced, and means including a'cam shaft and cam thereon driven in definite timed relation with said driving means for periodically actuating said dog ,setting means.

18. Crate-advancing mechanism for machines of the class described comprising in combination, al pair of supports, parallel crate-supporting rails on the upper side thereof, a member guided to reciprocate longitudinally on the upper side of' each support alongside of the respective rail, cratefeeding dogs pivoted on the upper sides of said members andmovable to and from positions overlying said rails, and means forsetting said dogs.

19. In crate-advancing mechanism for ma-V chines of the class described, the combination of a support, a .crate-supporting rail extending longitudinally thereof, a member guided to reciprocate longitudinally' on the upper side of said support and along one side of said rail, a crate-feeding dog pivoted on the upper side of said member and adapted to swing to and from a position overlying said rail, means for setting the dog, and a stop on the underside of the dog to cooperate with a side of said member to limit the swing of the dog and sustain the thrust imposed upon it incident to the advance of a crate thereby.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

Witnesses A. D. SANDERS, C. L. BERGER. 

